Bloomberg to Host ESG Book Data

Bloomberg is to offer ESG Book content to its customers, providing them with company-reported emissions and other climate-related data. ESG Book, which is a collaboration between data provider and asset manager Arabesque as well as a number of major banks and financial companies, covers almost 10,000 companies in its datasets.

FCA Requires IBA to Continue Publication of US Dollar LIBOR Settings Using Synthetic Methodology

Further to a November 2022 consultation, the FCA has decided to use its powers under UK Benchmarks Regulation (UK BMR) to require ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) to continue publication of 1-, 3- and 6-month US dollar LIBOR settings using an unrepresentative synthetic methodology. The FCA will require IBA to publish these synthetic US dollar LIBOR settings for a temporary period after 30 June 2023, following the end of the US dollar LIBOR bank panel, and intends for them to cease entirely on 30 September 2024.

From 1 July 2023, all new use of synthetic US dollar LIBOR by UK supervised entities will be prohibited under the UK BMR, which the FCA notes will override the exemptions to the prohibition on the new use of US dollar LIBOR imposed by the FCA on 1 January 2022. The FCA will allow the use of the 1-, 3- and 6-month synthetic US dollar LIBOR settings by supervised entities in all legacy contracts, except for cleared derivatives.

Exchange Data International Extends Provision of Corporate Actions Data

Exchange Data International (EDI), a provider of global security corporate actions, pricing, and reference data services, has introduced UK FundsCAB Service to further extend its investment funds coverage. The service covers over 13,700 share class funds from 200 fund management companies to provide comprehensive corporate actions data. Users can access corporate actions as soon as they enter EDI’s corporate actions web-based system. EDI also publishes daily fund distributions on the UK FundsCAB service.

UK Opens Talks on Regulating ESG Ratings Providers

The UK has taken a step further along its programme of market sustainability reforms. In the Treasury’s latest update to its Green Finance Strategy, which was launched in 2019, ministers presented a consultation paper that proposes bringing ESG ratings providers under the gaze of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Further announcements indicated that nuclear power would be included in a future ESG taxonomy and that the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD) framework would be considered for inclusion in any reporting rule.

The FCA said also that it would delay until the autumn it response to a consultation into the UK’s proposed Sustainability Disclosures Requirements (SDR). The rule had been expected to come into force in June.

Snowflake Sets Up in Indonesia

Snowflake has extended its reach to Indonesia, bringing the Data Cloud to customers and partners in the country. The company expects its services to be available in the AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region in April 2023, enabling customers and partners to accelerate migration to the Data Cloud.

Linedata Opens Office in Singapore

Linedata, a global provider of credit and asset management technology, data and services, has opened a new office in Singapore, strengthening its presence in the APAC region following an increase in client need. The company already has presence in Hong Kong and India, with its expansion to Singapore a priority in its development strategy. Linedata plans to recruit new talent and skills for the Singaporean office to support existing and new clients, and says its technological solutions are well suited to the Singaporean financial market and can support local investment fund structures, such as the Variable Capital Company.

RepRisk Makes ESG Data Accessible from Snowflake Marketplace

RepRisk’s ESG risk data is now available on Snowflake Marketplace, giving sustainable market professionals easy access to the Swiss company’s content without having to adapt their internal processes.

Through Snowflake’s platform, RepRisk says customers can be assured of data security, scalability, assessment and governance. Its data is collated from sources other than corporate self-disclosures to ensure investors are provided with independent information.

ISS ESG Provides US Cyber Risks Visibility for Sustainability Investors

ESG investors are now able to monitor companies’ cyber risks through a new service provided by ISS ESG. The ISS ESG US Cyber Risk Index offers clients visibility into which corporates face the highest risk of digital intrusion based on their cyber security provisions.

ISS ESG, the sustainable investment unit of Institutional Shareholder Services, said the index is based on is Cyber Risk Scores.

Huge Differences in Data Costs Found

A study of ESG data costs has found that some asset managers are being charged six time more than others for sustainability data and scores. Substantive Research also found that index data could be as much as 26 times more expensive for some customers.

IBA Continues Move Away from LIBOR benchmarks with SOFR Spread-Adjusted ICE Swap Rate

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) continues the move away from LIBOR benchmarks with its subsidiary ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) planning to launch a US dollar (USD) SOFR Spread-Adjusted ICE Swap Rate for use as a benchmark in financial contracts and financial instruments by licensees on 3 July 2023.

IBA has been publishing USD SOFR Spread-Adjusted ICE Swap Rate settings on an indicative, beta basis for an initial testing period since October 2021. Assuming continued satisfactory testing and feedback, IBA expects to publish the rate settings as a benchmark for use by licensees on and subject to the terms of current USD ICE Swap Rate licensing agreements.

IBA will cease publication of all USD LIBOR ICE Swap Rate benchmark runs including USD LIBOR 1100, USD LIBOR Spreads 1100 and USD LIBOR 1500 for all tenors immediately after publication on 30 June 2023.